- The journey of Ragi Laddus began in July, earning approximately Rs 6.50 lakh during Navratri, gaining new recognition.
In Dantewada, the holy city of Maa Danteshwari, an inspiring picture of women empowerment and self-reliance along with faith was seen during this Sharadiya Navratri. 10 Didi’s of Vrinda Mahila Self-Help Group under the District Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Union Limited have made Ragi Laddus a strong source of livelihood with their hard work, dedication and entrepreneurship. This initiative, started in July 2026, has written a new story of success in just a few months. During the months of July, August and September, the group earned an income of about Rs 1.50 lakh, while during Sharadiya Navratri in the month of October, the women of the group demonstrated their hard work and skill by earning an income of about Rs 6.50 lakh.
The sisters of the Vrinda Mahila Self-Help Group began their journey in July by making ragi laddus. In this initiative, aimed at linking locally available nutritious grains with livelihoods, the women paid special attention to the quality, taste, and packaging of the products. Gradually, their products gained recognition, and the women’s confidence grew. The demand for ragi laddus among devotees traveling from far and wide to visit Maa Danteshwari during Sharadiya Navratri gave the initiative new momentum. While devotees enjoyed the opportunity to take home special prasad from the goddess’s court, the women also gained a chance to increase sales of their products and earn better income.
The group’s success is no longer limited to ragi laddus. Along with ragi laddus, the women of the Vrinda Mahila Self-Help Group are also producing mahua laddus, mahua cookies, ragi cookies, and kodo cookies. Through these products made from local grains and forest produce, efforts are being made to bring traditional resources to the market in a new form. This not only promotes local products but also creates new employment and income opportunities for women.
The ragi prasad distributed to devotees at the shrine of Maa Danteshwari has now become a symbol of these women’s hard work, self-confidence, and economic independence. For the 10 women in the group, this initiative is not limited to making and selling laddus; it is also an opportunity to become financially strong through their hard work and establish a new identity in society.
This initiative, operated under the District Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation Limited, is an inspiring example of better utilization of local resources, connecting women self-help groups with livelihoods, and empowering rural women with self-reliance. The ragi laddus, which began on a small scale in July, reached a revenue of lakhs of rupees by Navratri. This success of the sisters of the Vrinda group shows that, given opportunity, collective effort, and hard work
, women can set a new example of self-reliance through local products.
